Today I bought a Marlin 1894 Cowboy in .357 magnum. It has an octagonal barrel. Woodwork to metal fit is good, metal finish is okay, but not quite as good as older models and not as fine as Uberti or Miroku Winchesters.
Action is stiff, but cycling it seems to be smoothing it out considerably.
It has the end cap on the forend and a hanger under the front sight, other than barrel bands, and a 20" inch barrel.
One curious thing....instructions do not indicate how many cartridges fit in the magazine. Does anyone know?